At long last, an honorary Marine
Chinese immigrant gets wish 55 years after he befriends Love Company

The Associated Press
CAMP LEJEUNE - A Chinese immigrant who befriended a company of Marines after World War II and eventually won U.S. citizenship was given the title of "onorary Marine" on Tuesday.

Tsui Chi Hsii was nicknamed "Charlie Two Shoes" 55 years ago by the men of Love Company, 4th Marines, 1st Marine Division. The 11-year-old Tsui brought the cold Marines kindling and traded with them for K-rations to feed his family.

Wearing a red and gold Marines baseball cap, Tsui was given the honor by Maj. Gen. John F. Sattler on behalf of the Marine Corps at the morning flag-raising ceremony at Camp Lejeune.
"I've always just considered myself as a Marine," Tsui said after the ceremony, adding that the honor was  "the most glorious thing" that has happened to him.

"It's important to honor Charlie because of his devotion to the ideals that Marines hold dear," Sattler said. "He preserved through tough times by living the Marine Corps' ethos of honor, courage and commitment. His enduring character is an example for all Marines."

After World War II ended, Mariner who had fought the Japanese in the South Pacific were sent to North China as the communists and nationalists resumed their civil war. Some were assigned to protect Tsangkou Air Base near Tsui�s mud hut village, Chukechuang.

One day in 1945, Tsui brought the men of Love Company kindling for their fires. Later, he brought boiled eggs and warm peanuts that his mother had cooked in a wok. The Marines taught him English and dressed him in a uniform.

The Marines left Tsui behind when they shipped out in 1949. The communists imprisoned him for seven years when he refused to renounce the United States and the Marine Corps. He spent 10 more years under house arrest. He later wrote letters to some of the Marines and started his quest to become an American.

After their discharge, members of Love Company helped bring him to the United States in 1983, brought him a used car and found him a job. He now operates a restaurant in Chapel Hill.

Tsui received American citizenship two years ago, ending a struggle with the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service.

Tsui said he had considered himself an honorary Marine since he met the men of Love Company.